Fingering mechanism of saxophones



Dec. 2, 1924.

R. M. HICKMAN FINGERING MECHANISM OF SAXOPHONES- Fil ed May 12, 1921 U dF y x c Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED ROGER MILLS irIcxMAN, or EETEnsBUne, TENNESSEE.

FINGERING MECHANISM OF snxornonns.

A plication file'd m 1 2, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER M. HICKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Petersburg, in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Fingering Mechanism of Saxophones; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention is a new and original mechanism whereby the covers, the opening of which produce the four extreme upper tones, D, D sharp, E and F, are operated by the use of the first three fingers of the right hand; the fingering being the same as is used to produce the corresponding tones, D, D sharp, E and F, in the two lower octaves, except that the fingers of the right hand only are used; the fingers of the left hand being free.

The object of this invention is to make possible the acquisition of a greater degree of technical skill in the performance on said instrument.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view of a portion of the fingering mechanism of a saxophone having the present improvements combined there with.

Figure 2 is a section through a saxophone showing the relative positions of the connecting arms, a portion of the fingering mechanism being shown by broken lines.

Figure 3 is a section through a saxophone and one of the connecting arms and showing the extension on said arm and its contact with a key.

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the covers and adjacent parts.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the upper end of one of the arms and its extension.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper end of another arm and its extensions.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper end of another arm showing its extension.

Figur 9 is a fingering chart showing on the treble clef the tones produced by the operation of the covers shown in Figure 4 and the fingering required to produce each tone.

Referring to the drawing; the parts shown Serial no. 469,049.

in solid lines represent the new mechanism and its connection with the various parts of the instrument, which parts are represented by the broken lines. Fig. 1 shows the connecting arms 1, 2, 3 and their rigid connecti'ons with the extensions on covers 4, 5 6, which covers are operated with the first three fingers of the right hand. Covers 7, 8, 9, 10, are aligned parallel to the body of the instrument. 11 is a bar which supports covers 7, 8, 9, 10, and the upper ends of arms 1, 2, 3, in contact with the extensions on said covers. 12 is a key in contact with an extension l on arm 1 and 7 on cover 7. 13 is an extension on cover (a), operated with the first finger of the left hand, and used to close covers 7, 8, 9, 10 when cover (a) is closed. This permits the use of covers 4, 5, 6, without affecting covers 7, 8, 9, 10. 14 is an arm for closing covers 8, 9, 10 when cover (5), operated with the second finger of the left hand, is closed, which permits the trill G to D by the operation of cover 4. 15 is a lever suspended from bar 11, having contact with an extension 2 on arm 2 and cover 8 and forcing cover 8 closed when covers 4, 5, 6 are closed. Fig. 2 is a section through the instrument taken immediately to the right of cover 4 (Fig. 1) and showin the relative positions of arms 1, 2, 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken immediately to the left of key 1.2, (Fig. 1) showing sectionview of arm 1 with its extension 16, (Fig. 5, No. 17) and its contact with key 12, (Fig. 1); and also showing extension 0 suspended from bar 11. Fig. 4 is a rear, under-view of covers 7, 8,9, 10, (Fig. 1). Nos. 7, s, 9, 10 of Figs. 1 and 4 are identical parts, each figure representing those parts from a different angle of view. In the following explanations concerning Fig. 4 it is understood that covers (a) and (b) (Fig. 1) are closed. 7 opens when cover 4 is closed. Lever 15 forces cover 8 closed when covers 4, 5, 6 are closed. 8 opens when cover 5 is opened. 9 opens when cover 6 is opened. 10 opens when cover 5 is opened in con unction with cover 6. 7, 8, 9, 10 are forced open by springs when released by covers 4, 5, 6. Fig. 5 shows the upper end of arm 1. The extension 17 has contact with key 12, (Figs. 1 and 3); and extension 18 is suspended from bar 11. Fig. 6 shows the upper end of arm 2, the extension 19 having contact with lever 15, (Figs. 1 and 4), and extension 20 having contact with cover 10, (Figs. 1 and 4) extension 21 is suspended from bar 11. Fig. 7 shows the upper end of arm 3, the extension 22 having contact with cover 9, (Figs. 1 and 4), and extension 23 suspended from bar 11. Fig. 8 is a View of the instrument as a whole showing positions of covers 7, 8, 9, 10. Fig. 9 is a fingering chart showing, on the treble clef, the tones which are produced by the operation of covers 7, 8, 9, 10, and the proper fingering required to produce each tone.

\Vhile in the foregoing there has been described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is understood that such changes may be made in the arrangement of parts as will fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A saxophone fingering mechanism consisting of a bar extending parallel to the body of a saxophone; four covers aligned parallel to said body with extensions to connect with said bar at right angles; three arms extending parallel to said body, the upper ends being suspended from said bar and having contact with extensions on said covers while the lower ends are rigidly connected with the three covers which are operated with the first three fingers of the right hand.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROGER MILLS HIOKMAN. \Vitnesses ROY E. Tirrs, J. L. HOLLAND. 

